What your business needs to know about the state’s new wildfire smoke workplace rules
Dann Mead SmithAs summer approaches, unfortunately so does wildfire season in our state. Our summer days and nights will be impacted by the smoke that these fires produce even if they are hundreds of miles away from where we live and work. It is something that we have learned to adapt to especially over the…
Read MoreSurvey shows inflation tops a long list of employer challenges in 2022
Kris Johnson The soaring inflation rate has turned trips to the gas station, grocery store, shopping mall and restaurants into nerve-wracking experiences. Not to mention buying a used car or a sheet of plywood. But it isn’t just wreaking havoc on family budgets — inflation is setting off alarm bells for businesses, too. In a recent survey, inflation emerged as the No. 1 challenge facing Washington employers right now, edging out a long list of other concerns like finding enough workers,…
Read MoreState lawmakers hit the gas on multi-year spending spree
By Kris Johnson Looking back at the 2022 state legislative session, it’s hard not to be disappointed at the missed opportunities. Yes, lawmakers accomplished some things that are good for the economy, like shoring up the unemployment insurance trust fund, lowering the B&O tax threshold for the smallest of small businesses and passing a transportation…
Read MoreWashington’s long-term care program needs more than a short-term delay
By Kris Johnson When the Legislature convened the 2022 session last month, lawmakers made long-term care their first order of business. It’s probably not a topic you thought about much until recently, but news that every employee in the state (except for some who were able to opt-out — more about that in a moment) would begin paying a new tax on Jan. 1 caught people’s attention. Amid an outcry from employees…
Read MoreVSH CPAs builds momentum with merger to strengthen business advisory expertise
Lydia Ahn will join VSH as Partner Focused on International Tax and Transactions With an eye on continued growth and expanded capabilities, VSH CPAs (VSH) announced in late September that Lydia Ahn will be joining the firm as partner and merging Ahn Tax & Business Advisors (ATBA) into the 23-year-old business advisory, tax and accounting…
Read MoreSBA increases COVID-19 EIDL maximum to $2M
(Shared with permission from Larson Gross) The Small Business Administration (SBA) has increased the limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from $500,000 to $2 million. In a recent announcement, the SBA has implemented some major changes to the existing EIDL to make it easier for the small business communities still reeling from the…
Read MoreBellingham voters should reject these initiatives in November
In this upcoming election, Bellingham voters will be asked to consider four initiatives submitted by a coalition of Bellingham community activist groups — with no regard to the long-lasting negative effect on local businesses. WBA’s Board of Directors is recommending a no-vote for all four initiatives because of the enormous adverse impact for City of…
Read MoreWhat employers should know about the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act
Does it make sense for you to opt out of coverage? James B. Twining, CFP Much to the chagrin of our Washington state government, the citizenry of the state will not approve a corporate or personal income tax. But never fear, the government makes up for it with a myriad of smaller tax bites of…
Read MorePeoples Bank increases minimum wage
Effective July 1, 2021, Peoples Bank announced it would raise its base minimum hourly wage for all hourly employees to $17, with market adjustments in Snohomish and King counties. The base minimum wage in Snohomish County will be adjusted to $18.70; in King County, the base minimum wage will be adjusted to $19.55. The Bank…
Read MoreRMC Architects hires Judge and Leigh
David Judge AIA has joined RMC Architects as a Project Architect. Judge received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2010 from A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. He received a Master of Architecture in 2018 from the College of Built Environments, University of Washington, specializing in…
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